UMES anticipates it will award approximately 255 degrees, including 36 master’s degrees and 10 doctoral degrees.

The commencement speaker is Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who is in his second term working alongside Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Since taking office in 2007, Brown has been the point person for the O’Malley administration on expanding and improving health care, helping victims of domestic violence and making higher education more accessible – especially for veterans of the conflicts in the Middle East who are looking to re-enter the civilian world.

Brown is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, which makes him the highest-ranking elected official to have served in Iraq, according to a biography on the official state website for the lieutenant governor’s office.

A two-time Harvard graduate – including a law degree – Brown served in the Maryland General Assembly for two terms as a delegate from Prince George’s County and rose through the ranks to become majority whip. He is the father of two children and lives in Mitchellville.

Commencement guests are encouraged to be seated 30 minutes prior to the start of the student and faculty processional at 10 a.m. In keeping with tradition, the university’s Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble will perform.